How do I care for a newly repotted orchid?
Do not allow the pot to sit directly in the water. The water will make a cone of evaporation surrounding the plant. Orchids should never be allowed to completely dry out. Keep the bark potting mix moist by soaking and draining weekly or water just the bark mix from above. Watering Orchids Based on Their Roots Velamen color indicates water needs: dry velamen is white or silvery; freshly watered velamen is green or mottled. Orchids can be watered from the top or bottom. Mounted plants will need more water than unmounted plants.To water, just plunge the whole pot in tepid water for 10 seconds once the large fleshy roots have turned silver. This is enough to turn the roots green again. All orchids can be watered in this manner – wait until they are slightly dry.The secret to success in growing orchids indoors is choosing plants that are best suited to the growing environment. Most orchids fail to bloom because of inadequate light or temperatures that are too consistent. Test the light.Most orchids require water once a week. Avoid over watering as this can lead to root rot. Position your orchid in a bright windowsill facing east or west. Weekly feeding with a fertilizer designed for orchids.Orchid Planters By adding the ice cube to the base of the plant (just under the leaves) you can ensure a lovely slow trickle of nutrients going directly to the plant and not the planter medium.
Can orchids be repotted in regular potting soil?
Orchids require a specialist potting soil that mimics their natural habitat. An orchid potting mix is essential to support the needs of your plant. The use of a regular houseplant potting soil is a common reason why orchid plants die. Don’t make that mistake! Too much water can cause yellow, brown or hollow/ flat roots. Vandas also show a similar effect. In the case of orchids in Garden arrangements, too little water is noticeable when it leads to flowers getting wrinkly and the flower veins showing up and wilting.Overwatering This is the most common orchid-growing mistake and one of the fastest ways to kill an orchid, says Justin Kondrat, lead horticulturist at the Smithsonian Gardens Orchid Collection. People think that orchids are tropical and need water all the time, but that’s not the case,” Kondrat says.Over-watering is the most common problem associated with poorly performing orchids. Symptoms can look very similar to those of under-watered plants because it often rots the roots and therefore prevents them from taking up adequate amounts of water.Most houseplant orchids like bright light, but not direct sun, such as on a north- or east-facing windowsill. They like regular watering and misting, preferably with rainwater or boiled water rather than tap water.
Should I water orchids before or after repotting?
After you have re-potted your orchid, it should be watered thoroughly. For the first couple of weeks af- ter repotting, fertilize when watering with Better-Gro® Better-Bloom® Orchid Fertilizer, which is high in phosphorus and will stimulate root growth. While orchids prefer a small pot—weaving their roots through the compost as they grow—they eventually run out of room. That’s when their roots push the plant up above the rim of the pot or reach out into the air, looking for breathing space—a sure sign that it’s time to re-pot.Avoid over watering as this can lead to root rot. Position your orchid in a bright windowsill facing east or west. Weekly feeding with a fertilizer designed for orchids. Repotting in fresh orchid mix when your orchid stops blooming.Roots: Roots that spill over the edge or grow through drainage holes signal overcrowding. Aerial Roots: Some aerial roots are normal, but excessive growth outside the pot indicates the orchid needs more space. Tangled Root Ball: Inside the pot, roots may coil tightly, restricting airflow and nutrient uptake.Orchids should ideally be grown in plastic or terra-cotta pots with drainage holes to prevent soggy roots. When choosing a new pot for your orchid, select one that is just one inch larger than the current pot.Your Orchid Has Outgrown Its Pot Once you notice your orchid’s roots seem too crowded in its current container, it’s time to repot your orchid. If you see roots beginning to grow from the plant stem or start to crawl over the side of the pot, it’s a telltale sign your pot has become too small.
When should an orchid be repotted?
Orchids should be repotted when new; every year or two; or when crowded roots push up and out of the pot. Spring: time for a close-up. Other than watering and occasionally fertilizing them, you probably don’t look closely at your orchids all that often when they’re not in bloom. The secret to success in growing orchids indoors is choosing plants that are best suited to the growing environment. Most orchids fail to bloom because of inadequate light or temperatures that are too consistent. Test the light.Orchids prefer humid conditions, especially during the winter when your home has drier air, so it helps to set your plant on a pebble-filled tray filled with water (the pot should sit on top of the stones, not in the water). As the water in the tray evaporates it will increase the humidity around your orchid.The colour of the roots is the best indication for determining whether your orchid has sufficient moisture. If the roots are a healthy green colour, your orchid is sufficiently watered and doesn’t need any more water at this time. If the roots are greyish-white, your orchid isn’t receiving enough water.It may be preferable to pot your orchids in a utilitarian pot and drop it inside the decorative pot for presentation. Be careful with decorative pots without drainage holes so as not to let the roots stand in water. Many orchids prefer the shallower bulb or azalea pots to the taller standard sized pots.You do not need to bury the air roots! These need to be clear to absorb moisture and nutrients. Your orchid plant needs to be in the centre of your new pot. You then need to fill the remaining space with potting mix.
Do orchids go into shock after repotting?
Just like our garden plants, orchids struggle with transplant shock after repotting. Simply removing a plant from the pot disrupts the root system, then you cut away the older and tired part of the plant and give the roots a haircut, compounding the root damage. Orchids should be watered just as they dry out. This rule applies to all orchids, with slight variations depending on whether your plant has pseudobulbs (thickened stems that are designed to store water).Overwatering. Be careful not to overwater your orchid. Most orchids require water once a week in the summer, and once every two weeks in the winter. Avoid overwatering, as it can lead to root rot.After you have re-potted your orchid, it should be watered thoroughly. For the first couple of weeks af- ter repotting, fertilize when watering with Better-Gro® Better-Bloom® Orchid Fertilizer, which is high in phosphorus and will stimulate root growth.